Questions and Answers

• Purpose & vision of the foundation

  We strive to create living spaces that focus on people and connect them positively with their built environment. In our vision, high-quality Baukultur is a matter of course – it results from dialogue between the population and experts, from shared experience and joint design. This creates lively living spaces that foster a sense of identity and connect people across social, cultural and economic boundaries.

  We strive for a Switzerland in which:

  • Everyone understands what constitutes high-quality Baukultur and actively participates in shaping their environment
  • Experts and the population work together as a matter of course – from the initial idea to long-term maintenance
  • Public spaces are places of encounter, cohesion and democratic participation
  • The genius loci – the unique character of each place – is preserved, strengthened and further developed
  • The built environment brings history and identity to life while offering sustainable solutions for the future

• What is Baukultur?

  People operate within space and shape the space in its full diversity. Baukultur is an expression of that. It covers buildings and landscapes, historic monuments and heritage sites, streets and squares, bridges and gardens as well as villages and cities. Planning and construction processes are also part of Baukultur. It applies just as much to craft-related detail as to large-scale urban planning. Baukultur connects the past to the present and future. The way we deal with our built environment is an expression of our Baukultur. Quelle: Baukultur concept

  We recommend the explanatory film ‘Baukultur betrifft uns alle’ (Baukultur affects us all) by Archijeunes. Its aim is to make the concept of Baukulturccessible to everyone and to highlight the urgency and relevance of building culture education for our society. It should be distributed as widely as possible and can be used in teaching and education.

• Why is Baukultur important?

  We believe that a built environment that reflects the interests and needs of all people leads to a better society. We believe that the beauty of our built landscape can have a positive impact.  

  Beauty does not arise by itself and usually requires hard work. It is subjective, and when it comes to the cityscape, it requires good cooperation between all parties involved. In addition to the location, its nature – the genius loci – and its inhabitants, a good team includes the planner, the designer, the authorities, the contractor, the investor, the estate agent and many more. Their joint task is to reconcile social needs with societal constraints.  

  That is why we believe that Baukultur can make a community flourish. The unique character of a place connects us all and forms a community. Through mediation, participation and innovation, we empower people to help shape their living spaces. Because high-quality Baukultur is created through joint commitment – through cooperative and interdisciplinary discussion, thinking and design. 

• Important links on the subject of Baukultur

  • Manifesto on Baukultur: The manifesto is a fundamental document for a holistic understanding of Baukultur. It served as the initial spark for the new cultural and political field of building culture in Switzerland.
  • Davos Declaration and Davos Baukultur process: The declaration adopted by European ministers of culture in 2018 reminds us that building is culture and creates space for culture.
  • Davos Baukultur Quality System: The Davos Quality System contains an assessment form with a questionnaire for each of the eight criteria.
  • Baukultur policy: The Baukultur policy addresses current social and spatial challenges such as climate change, the energy transition, inward urban development and demographic change.
  • Kodex hohe Baukultur: High Baukultur is responsibility in action when dealing with space, resources and relationships.

• What does the name Sotto Voce mean?

  The name ‘Sotto Voce’ (Italian for ‘in a low voice’) reflects our approach: we don't make a big fuss, but instead focus on enabling, networking and dialogue.